Symbol of a Nation, edited by Fred Patten, to launch at Anthrocon 2017.

by Patch O'Furr

Here’s the first original short story anthology from Goal Publications, Symbol of a Nation, edited by Fred Patten. It will be released at Anthrocon 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania over the June 29-July 3 five-day weekend. Find Goal Publications there at F19 in the dealer’s room!

Symbol of a Nation is an all-original anthology of 11 short stories and novelettes featuring the anthropomorphized official animal (or bird) symbols of nations. (The call for submissions said what counts.) This is designed to appeal to both s-f & fantasy fans, and fans of political science.

From a famous extinct animal bioengineered to new life, to animal/bird astronauts, to animals adapted to their nation’s environments, to a 19-century heraldic animal struggling to remain relevant in today’s world, these are stories that will make you think about the national animal symbols that we and some of our neighbors have adopted.

Contents

Didus ineptus Linnaeus, by Roz Gibson

A Poor Uncle’s Apprentice, by BanWynn Oakshadow

Remembering the Forgotten, by H. J. Pang

The Moon Like an Unhatched Egg, by Mary E. Lowd

Crossroads the Namib, by Jako Malan

Sdani White Wings, by Jennifer Sowle

The Scent of Lantana, by Frances Pauli

Huitaca, by Televassi

To the Kingdom They Come, by H. J. Pang

Bread and Butter, by Allison Thai

The Lion of the Low Countries, by Alice “Huskyteer” Dryden

The book can be pre-ordered now from Goal Publications. It will be for sale at the Goal booth at Anthrocon, and on the Goal online catalogue after the convention. Price: $17.50. vii + 241 pages. Print ISBN 978-0-99791-253-1, Digital ISBN 978-0-99791-254-8. Wraparound cover by Jenn ‘Pac’ Rodriguez.